Have you seen "The War Games in Color" yet? I'll be honest - I haven't. While I've seen highlights and have a pretty good idea of the fan reaction thanks to social media, I have yet to watch the whole thing in full. But I'm excited for its release on Blu-ray later this year, especially since it includes the original DVD release of the original 10-episode version, complete with bonus features. (That may not sound like much, but do you know how impossible it is to get a copy of "The War Games" on DVD these days?)
One key moment that I have seen at least is the new regeneration scene. In fact, I had already seen it before. Back in 2023, Jacob Booth aka The Confession Dial released "The Second Doctor Regenerates" on YouTube. Using an excellent mix of editing and effects, it depicted the full regeneration from the Second Doctor to the Third. It was an edit so good in fact that it was used by the BBC (with permission, of course) for "The War Games in Color", with very few adjustments needed.
I've written about how impressive the new take is, and how fantastic it is that a fan-made edit like this was officially recognized in the best way. But that doesn't mean I'm not a fan of the original regeneration. I think it's one of the best cliffhanger endings in Doctor Who history.
The Doctor's sentence
First of all, there's the Doctor's sentence. Placed on trial by his own people for interfering in the affairs of other planets, his sentence is to be exiled on Earth, without being able to use the TARDIS until the Time Lords decide otherwise. It's an incredibly harsh sentence, especially after six seasons of seeing the Doctor travelling through time and space and clearly having fun along the way.
Even worse is that he's just said goodbye to two of his companions, Jamie and Zoe. Because they were so attached to him, the Time Lords erased almost all of their memories except their first adventures with the Doctor. It's an incredibly harsh thing to do, and may have inspired Donna's original companion exit decades later in "Journey's End".
Then, of course, there's the last part of the sentence: regeneration. While the term itself wouldn't be used for another five years - during the Third Doctor's final story, in fact - the Doctor "changing his appearance" was already proving to be a massive event for the show. So it's funny that, for a few moments, at least, it's treated almost with levity as the Doctor disregards every single one of the Time Lord's suggestions for his next form.
An uncertain regeneration
But then comes the moment itself, and it is chilling. The Doctor is sent into darkness, his features already starting to blur, screaming against the injustice. Aided by Dudley Simpson's haunting music, it's an incredible way to end the story. Especially since the story ends before we get to see the regeneration completed.
It's funny to think that there was ever a regeneration in Doctor Who where you didn't immediately see the Doctor's new incarnation. After all, it's such an important moment, and getting to see the new guy is usually the one small crumb of reassurance that the viewers have. Certainly, a story ending mid-regeneration could never happen again (well, excluding "The Stolen Earth", of course).
But the uncertainty of "The War Games"'s ending gives it a rare kind of power. It doesn't feel like the Doctor's just faced his greatest challenge. In fact, it feels like it's just beginning. Even now, knowing exactly what happens next, the moment itself is still amazing to watch. The new version depicting the full regeneration is more than welcome, of course. But the original ending is still one of Doctor Who's greatest cliffhanger endings ever.